Microbiology Information | Microbiology Programs | Microbiology Courses
Microbiology Programs
Bachelor of Science in Microbiology
(code BIOLBS09) (124 units)
Microbiology is the study of microorganisms and their interactions with humans, other organisms, and the environment. This degree, with the inclusion of appropriate classes, may be utilized by pre-professional students who are preparing for medical, dental, pharmacy, and veterinary school. A major in microbiology prepares students for a wide range of employment opportunities in clinical and public health fields, biotechnology, environmentally related fields, and industries concerning food, water quality, pharmaceuticals, and medical equipment and supplies. There is a core of courses for each of these varied educational and employment opportunities and specific programs can be arranged by counseling with microbiology advisors in the department. This undergraduate major is recognized by the American Society for Microbiology as meeting their core curriculum for the baccalaureate degree program in microbiology. This major requires 84-85 units, of which 39-40 are in the lower division and 45 are in upper division. All students must achieve at least a 2.0 grade-point average in each of the following: 1. the entire college record, 2. all units attempted at CSULB, 3. all courses in the major, and 4. all upper division courses in the major completed at CSULB.
Lower Division Requirements: BIOL 211A,B, 260; CHEM 111A,B; MATH 119A or 122; MICR 211; PHYS 100A,B. BIOL 153, 200, 200L, 204, 205, 207, 208; MICR 101 and 200 do not meet any specific or elective requirements for this major.
Upper Division Requirements: CHEM 320A,B, 441A,B; BIOL 340; MICR 320, 355, 371, 372, 430, 471; and a minimum of 11 additional elective units chosen from: BIOL 473, 477; MICR 320L, 322, 355L, 423, 429, 430L, 452, 473, 480, 490, 490L, 495, and 496. Those students seeking a career as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist/Medical Technologist are encouraged to take MICR 423, 430L, 320L, and 452. BIOL 301, 303, 304, 306, 309I; MICR 300I; and NSCI 492 do not meet any specific or elective requirements for this major.
Bachelor of Science Degree with Honors in Biology, Marine Biology, or Microbiology
Students majoring in the B. S. in Biology (all options), B. S. in Marine Biology, or B. S. in Microbiology who would like an enriched academic program, including an intensive research experience, may be eligible to graduate with Honors in the Major through the University Honors Program. Students may also complete General Honors through the University Honors Program, in which case the General Honors thesis requirement is met through Honors in the Major (see University Honors in this Catalog).
Students interested in graduating with Honors in the Major should participate in a series of courses designed to introduce central concepts in biology (BIOL 110H), develop critical thinking and communication skills (special section of UHP 100), and introduce the newly emerging field of bioinformatics (BIOL 220H). In addition, they may join a learning community of students with similar interests and benefit from mentoring by faculty members.
This Honors in the Major program was created with the support of a grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Students admitted to Honors in the Major may be eligible to receive monetary support from a variety of sources for completion of their honors research and thesis.
Students who have successfully completed the lower division Honors in the Major curriculum will receive priority for research fellowship support to the extent that it is available.
Additional details about this program, including availability of fellowship support, are available from the Honors in the Major Program Advisor.
Requirements for Admission
1. Junior or senior standing with at least one year remaining before graduation.
2. Declared major of B. S. in Biology (any option), B. S. in Marine Biology, or B. S. in Microbiology.
3. Completion of BIOL 211A,B, 260; CHEM 320A,B at time of entry with grades of at least “C” in each course. Students may apply during the semester in which they expect to complete these courses.
4. GPAs of at least 3.000 in all courses in the major and in all upper division courses in the major at the time of application.
5. Submission of an application describing the student’s academic background, reasons for applying (including a description of any previous research experience), and willingness to commit to a year-long research experience.
6. Letter of recommendation from a CSULB faculty member familiar with the student’s work and abilities.
Requirements for Graduation
1. GPA of at least 3.300 in all upper division courses in the major and in Honors courses.
2. Completion of all requirements for the chosen degree in the Biological Sciences.
3. Completion of either BIOL 220H or 477.
4. Completion of BIOL 466H, Research Design and Methods - Honors (3 units).
5. Completion of 3 units of BIOL 496, Undergraduate Directed Research.
6. Completion of 3 units of BIOL 498H, Thesis - Honors.
7. Presentation of research results in a public forum. This requirement may be met by presentation at a scientific conference or at a local venue; consult the Program Advisor for additional information.
Substitutions to this program must be approved by the Honors in the Major Program Advisor.
Minor in Microbiology (code BIOLUM04)
This minor may be combined with any major at CSULB except the B.S. in Microbiology. A minimum of 21 units which must include:
Lower Division: MICR 211. BIOL 153, 200, 200L, 204, 205, 207, 208, MICR 101, and 200 do not meet any specific or elective requirements for this minor.
Upper Division: MICR 320, 430, and 452; plus a minimum of five units from the following: MICR 322, 371, 471, and 473. BIOL 301, 303, 304, 306, 309I, MICR 300I, and NSCI 492 do not meet any specific or elective requirements for this minor.
Master of Science in Microbiology
(code BIOLMS02)
This degree is available to qualified students preparing for professional careers in industry and government and for further studies at the doctoral level. In addition, a Master’s degree in Microbiology, combined with appropriate courses in education, can be utilized for a community college teaching credential.
Admission to the Department
Prerequisites
In addition to the prerequisites for entrance into CSULB as a graduate student stated previously in this Catalog under Graduate Degrees and Post Baccalaureate Studies, the Department of Biological Sciences requires:
1. A bachelor’s degree or its equivalent with course work in microbiology, cell biology, and biochemistry appropriate for a science major and obtained from an accredited institution;
2. An undergraduate grade point average in all completed science and mathematics courses of at least 2.70, or a grade point average of at least 3.00 in the last 40 semester (60 quarter) units of science and mathematics courses completed; and
3. A score at or above the 50th percentile on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Subject test (in either Biology or in Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology) taken within 5 years prior to the intended admission date.
An applicant who does not meet the above requirements may be admitted as a conditionally classified graduate student as explained below.
Application
Prospective graduate students in M.S. in Microbiology, including CSULB graduates, must formally apply for admission to CSULB as described previously in this Catalog and must also apply directly to the Department of Biological Sciences. All applicants must submit the following documents directly to the Department no later than 15 March for the fall semester or 15 October for the spring semester to receive consideration for admission:
1. Departmental Application Form, available from the Department's Graduate Office;
2. Official transcripts of all college level academic work including that done at CSULB; these are in addition to those transcripts required for general graduate admission to CSULB;
3. Three letters of recommendation from persons familiar with the applicant's academic performance and research potential (if applying for a teaching associate position, the letters must refer to the applicant's potential to teach laboratory sections in the biological sciences); and
4. Official report of scores on the Graduate Record Examination Subject Test in Biology or the Subject Test in Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology. The applicant should have taken this examination well prior to applying to the Department, because the official score must reach the Department by the deadlines above.
These materials must be submitted to the Department's Graduate Office.
Review by the Graduate Studies Committee
The Graduate Studies Committee will review all folders completed by the deadlines and either accept the applicant as a Classified or Conditionally Classified graduate student or deny admission. Acceptance is competitive and the GPA, the GRE Subject Test score, and the letters of recommendation will be weighed in the decision to accept or reject an applicant. All accepted students must contact the Graduate Advisor prior to their initial semester for counsel and orientation.
Admission to the Department of Biological Sciences as a Classified Graduate Student
The Department of Biological Sciences will admit as a Classified graduate student any applicant who:
1. has met all prerequisites;
2. has a complete folder of all required documents; and
3. has obtained acceptance by a faculty member as the Chair of the student's Thesis Committee. The student and faculty should then set up a program (see "The Program of Study," below).
Admission to the Department of Biological Sciences as a Conditionally Classified Graduate Student
An applicant who fails to meet the criteria above for Classified admission to the Department and who falls into one of the following three categories may be considered by the Graduate Studies Committee for admission as Conditionally Classified graduate student:
1. An applicant with course and/or unit deficiencies. The Graduate Studies Committee will determine what deficiencies each applicant has and indicate on the back of the Department Application Form which course(s) the applicant must take to make up those deficiencies. These courses are in addition to the minimum 30 units on the student's Program of Study (see below). The applicant must make up all such deficiencies before attaining Classified status;
2. An applicant with GPA deficiencies. An applicant with an undergraduate GPA in science and mathematics courses between 2.50 and 2.75 and a GPA in the last 40 semester (60 quarter) units of science and mathematics courses between 2.75 and 3.00 may secure admission as a Conditionally Classified graduate student. The applicant must first obtain sponsorship from a Department of Biological Sciences faculty member; this faculty member must indicate in writing to the Graduate Studies Committee willingness to serve as the Chair of the applicant's thesis committee and the reasons why the Graduate Studies Committee should admit the applicant. Thus, applicants with a low GPA must contact potential thesis advisors before the Graduate Studies Committee can consider the application. In addition, an applicant receiving the Conditionally Classified status must complete, with a grade of "A" or "B," three approved courses totaling at least nine units acceptable to the Graduate Studies Committee and the Department Chair before attaining Classified status. These approved courses may appear on the student's Graduate Program of Study. If the applicant receives less than a "B" in any of the three courses, the applicant will be dropped from the M.S. in Microbiology program. An applicant who fails to meet the GPA criteria for normal, Classified admission and has either an undergraduate GPA in science and mathematics courses of less than 2.50 or a GPA in the last 40 semester (60 quarter) units of science and mathematics courses of less than 2.75 is not eligible for admission to the M.S. in Microbiology degree program.
3. An applicant who has scored below the 50th percentile on the GRE Subject Test; and
4. An applicant who meets all prerequisites but who does not yet have a Chair for the Thesis Committee. It is the responsibility of the student to obtain a Chair and set up a proposed graduate program by the end of the second semester in residence following admission to the Master of Science program or they will be dropped from the program.
The Program of Study
After admission to the Department as a Classified or Conditionally Classified graduate student, the student, in consultation with the Thesis Chair, must establish a Program of Study that includes the program of classes and a thesis proposal. The student and Thesis Committee Chair will select at least two additional members to serve on the student's Thesis Committee. The Departmental Graduate Advisor serves as an ex-officio member of all thesis committees. Each student must prepare a written thesis proposal for approval by the student's Thesis Committee. The Thesis Committee will meet with the student to determine what courses the student must take and indicate them on the M.S. in Microbiology Graduate Program Form.
The Program of Study will include the completion of a minimum of 30 semester units. At least 20 of these units must be in the 500-600 level courses of which a minimum of 16 units must be in the Microbiology 500-600 series. Required courses, if not taken previously, include: MICR 371 or an upper division/graduate course in genetics; MICR 471 or an upper division/graduate course in cell physiology; MICR 661 (two enrollments with different topics for a total of 4 units is required); BIOL 696, MICR 697 (maximum of 3 units); and MICR 698 (6 units). Other elective units included in the graduate program must be 400-600 level courses acceptable to the University and microbiology degree program. No 300-level courses may be included.
The Program of Study must be established before the end of the second semester after admission to the Department; in addition, the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) must be fulfilled and a score at, or above, the 50th percentile on the Graduate Record Examination Subject Test in Biology or in Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology must be achieved by this time. Failure to meet these requirements will result in dismissal from the Department's M.S. in Microbiology program.
Advancement to Candidacy
In addition to the general University requirements stated previously under Post-Baccalaureate and Graduate Degrees in this Catalog, the student must complete the following steps before receiving Candidate status in the Department of Biological Sciences:
1. Admission to the Department of Biological Sciences Master's Degree program as a Classified graduate student (see above);
2. Achievement of a score at, or above, the 50th percentile on the Graduate Record Examination Subject Test in Biology or the Subject Test in Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology. This requirement must be met by the end of the second semester in residence. Normally, students not meeting this requirement will be dropped from the program. Only in cases where English is not the student's native language or if a disability impedes the student's performance may an alternative be petitioned. In these cases, the Chair of her/his Thesis Committee must petition, in writing, the Graduate Studies Committee to provide an alternate method for meeting this requirement. This petition must provide full documentation of the student's progress to date, professional promise, and a schedule for meeting all degree requirements. If granted, the alternate method will consist of an exam, oral and/or written, in which the student must demonstrate extensive knowledge of the subject areas covered in the appropriate GRE Subject Test. The exam committee will consist of the Department Graduate Advisor and three faculty members selected by the Graduate Studies Committee. No member of the student's Thesis Committee may serve on this committee; and
3. Establishment of a Thesis Committee and Program of Study (see above). Upon evidence of satisfactory progress and saisfactory fulfillment of the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR), the Thesis Committee may recommend the student for advancement to candidacy by forwarding its recommendation to the Department Graduate Advisor, Department Chair, and Associate Dean for Graduate Accountability in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. This should occur at least one year before graduation. Upon approval by the Associate Dean, the student will attain the status of Classified graduate standing.
Requirements for the Master of Science in Microbiology
In addition to the general University requirements stated previously in this catalog, the student must meet the following requirements before receiving the degree of Master of Science in Microbiology.
1. Advancement to candidacy (see above);
2. Maintenance of a 3.00 ("B" average), or better, overall graduate grade point average (includes all upper-division and graduate level courses taken since admission to this University and after completion of the baccalaureate degree) and graduate program GPA. If either GPA falls below 3.00, it must be elevated to a 3.00 at the end of the following semester or the student will be dropped from the M.S. in Microbiology program;
3. Completion of a written thesis and an oral defense of this thesis, followed by a public presentation of the thesis research. The members of the candidate's Thesis Committee must have approved the thesis and the defense before a student may schedule the public presentation. The student may not defend the thesis or give a public presentation during the summer term; and
4. Serve as a teaching associate or graduate assistant. Under some circumstances, this requirement may be waived.
Requests to graduate must be received by Enrollment Services approximately 6 months in advance of the expected graduation date (check the Schedule of Classes for the date).
These requirements must be completed within 6 years from when the first course on the Program of Study was completed, including academic leaves, or the student's degree program will be terminated.